I am a Paramedic and have been for 22 years. After the events of September 11th, 2001 the vernacular concerning Police, Fire and EMS changed. People stated referring to us as "First Responders".

 

Please, for the love of God, don't call me a "First Responder". I am not a First Responder, I am THE Responder. There is no one else coming after I get there. Sometimes the Police or Fire Department "First Respond" for EMS because many of them have some level of First Aid Training that allows them to help prior to EMS arriving, hence, they are First Responders. But, after EMS gets there, there is no one else coming, that's it, that's all, it's over.

 

I think the reason this bothers me so much is: for years we tried to educate the public on what to call us because we are basically a young profession (been around for less then 40 years) and the police and fire services have been around for hundreds of years. People, still have trouble knowing what to call us. "Ambulance Driver" is still a bad sticking point because there used to be such a thing, a person who had little to no training just driving an ambulance. Then we tied to teach people that there is a huge difference between EMT's and Paramedics, and were making some progress, then the media started using the umbrella term, "First Responders".

 

Another reason it bothers me: There are several different levels of medically trained people outside the hospital; First Aid Trained people, First Responders (an actual certification), EMT's and Paramedics. It takes a day or two to become trained in First Aid, it takes one month to become a First Responder, it takes six months to become an EMT and it takes Two to Three years to become a Paramedic. Calling a Paramedic a First Responder is fairly insulting.

 

For the love of all things right in the world, call me what I am, Paramedic. That's all, nothing else, no other special term, no catch phrase, just "Paramedic".

I'd say a large part of it is because your everyday person, myself included, has no clue the difference between an EMT, First-Responder, and Paramedic. JMO.

I'd say a large part of it is because your everyday person, myself included, has no clue the difference between an EMT, First-Responder, and Paramedic. JMO.

I agree. And, it's difficult to educate the public about it. But, when the media, as a group, starts using one phrase it becomes even more difficult to educate the public about it.

 

EMT's are taught mostly about Patient Assessment and provide basic medical treatment, nothing invasive.

 

Paramedics are EMT's first, then have another two years of advanced education including IV therapy, medication administration, performance and interpretation of EKG's, Cardiac interventions, Intubation (breathing tubes into the lungs), and other advanced treatment regiments. Paramedics are doing things that can be done no where else other then in the hospitals. Paramedics are for the purpose of bringing the hospital to the patient, more so then taking the person to the hospital.

Thank you for your service, Ram.

 

 

I can see where that gets frustrating.

Luckily I have never had to call 911 so I really am ignorant of the differences. Even if we knew the difference, how do we know who is showing up? Do you have something on your uniform that designates if you are an EMT or Paramedic?

 

I'm not getting the rant part. I'm a CPA but it doesn't bother me when someone calls me an accountant and our profession has been around for a long time.

Luckily I have never had to call 911 so I really am ignorant of the differences. Even if we knew the difference, how do we know who is showing up? Do you have something on your uniform that designates if you are an EMT or Paramedic?

 

I'm not getting the rant part. I'm a CPA but it doesn't bother me when someone calls me an accountant and our profession has been around for a long time.

Most agencies have patches, or initials after the person's name, i.e. EMT or Paramedic. Or just ask, they will be happy that you know there is a difference and let you know their level of education.

I don't think people are being disrespectful, it's just easier to have one term or phrase to cover all EMS, Fire and Police as a group. At the end of the day the job those three do will always be grouped together by the public along with 911 operators. Is there a better all encompassing term or phrase you think would go over better?

I agree. And, it's difficult to educate the public about it. But, when the media, as a group, starts using one phrase it becomes even more difficult to educate the public about it.

 

EMT's are taught mostly about Patient Assessment and provide basic medical treatment, nothing invasive.

 

Paramedics are EMT's first, then have another two years of advanced education including IV therapy, medication administration, performance and interpretation of EKG's, Cardiac interventions, Intubation (breathing tubes into the lungs), and other advanced treatment regiments. Paramedics are doing things that can be done no where else other then in the hospitals. Paramedics are for the purpose of bringing the hospital to the patient, more so then taking the person to the hospital.

So is a paramedic educated/trained similarly to an RN?

How about this, if I'm dying and someone needs to call 911...send a paramedic and I won't get mixed up.

Most agencies have patches, or initials after the person's name, i.e. EMT or Paramedic. Or just ask, they will be happy that you know there is a difference and let you know their level of education.

 

Thanks, that's good to know although if I am ever involved with them I doubt if I'll want to bother them asking their level of education while they're busy saving somebody's life, particularly if it's mine.

Can't I just call you honey or sweetie?

Thanks, that's good to know although if I am ever involved with them I doubt if I'll want to bother them asking their level of education while they're busy saving somebody's life, particularly if it's mine.

 

Kinda my thought as well. If I ever have to call 911 for a health emergency for either myself or a family member, I'm going to be a little busy worrying about not dying or that person not dying to worry about whether I'm giving the guy/gal working on them the proper education credit.

Can't I just use your name? I mean, if I'm in that situation, I'm either not going to call you anything because I have bigger problems, or I'm going to have the chance to learn your name and use that.

 

I mean, the last time I was in an ambulance it was with David and Angela. The time before that it was "thanks for not letting me die, I appreciate it."

Was that actually your first response to the issue?

Kinda my thought as well. If I ever have to call 911 for a health emergency for either myself or a family member, I'm going to be a little busy worrying about not dying or that person not dying to worry about whether I'm giving the guy/gal working on them the proper education credit.

 

Kind of off topic, buy my sister will ask everyone treating her or family, where they graduated in their class. This included the ER doctor that was working on my dad after he had his heart attack. I wonder if she was not happy with his answer if she would have asked for a different doctor?